Syrian Arab Republic
is a country in Southwest_Asia, and the Middle_East, bordering on Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. The border with Israel is not final pending the resolution of outstanding conflicts. The name Syria comes from the in the extreme southwest, then Judea, Phoenicia along the coast, with Damascena to the inland side of Phoenicia, Coele-Syria (or "Hollow Syria") north of the Eleutheris_river, and Mesopotamia. Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyahالجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة (In Detail) ''National motto: None'' Official language Arabic Capital Damascus President Bashar_al-Assad Prime Minister Muhammad_Naji_al-Otari Area - Total - % water Ranked 86th 185,180 km² 0.06% Population - Total (2002) - Density Ranked 55th 17,585,540 93/km² Independence - Declared - Recognition FromVichy_France - January_1, 1944 - April_7, 1946 Currency Pound by arab lira Time_zone UTC +2 National_anthem Homat_el_Diyar Internet TLD .SY Calling Code 963History
''Main article: History_of_Syria'' Syria has been the cradle of some of the world's oldest civilizations, and has been part of the Hittite, Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Phoenician empires, before becoming part of the (Eastern) Roman_Empire. Having been a cradle of Christianity, with the expansion of Islam in the Middle East in the 7th_century, Syria became one of the centres of the new religion. After invasions by the Seljuk_Turks and the Crusades, Syria came under Arab control until 1516, when it was conquered by the Ottomans. Following the breakup of the Ottoman_Empire during World_War_I, Syria was administered by the French, who had already proclaimed themselves as protector of the country in the 18th_century. The country was liberated from the Vichy government, and independence was declared in 1944, although foreign troops remained until 1946. Syria was a charter member of the United_Nations. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan_Heights to Israel. Since 1976, Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon, ostensibly in a peacekeeping capacity. In recent years, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace talks over the return of the Golan Heights. As_of_2004, Syria is regarded by the United_States as a state sponsor of terrorism.Politics
''Main article: Politics_of_Syria'' While nominally a democratic republic, Syria has been led by a military regime since a 1963 coup by the Baath_Party. This party holds a two-thirds majority in the Syrian parliament (which has 250 seats), while the remainder is occupied by independent representatives. The country has been under a state_of_emergency laws since 1963. The head of state is president Bashar_al-Assad, the son of president Hafez_al-Assad, who led the country from 1971 until his death in 2000. The president appoints a council of ministers and a prime minister, who together form the executive branch of the Syrian government.Provinces
''Main article: Provinces_of_Syria'' Syria has fourteen provinces, or ''muhafazat'':Geography
''Main article: Geography_of_Syria'' Syria consists mostly of arid plateau, although there is a small strip with plain along the coast line with the Mediterranean. The Euphrates, Syria's most important river, crosses the country in the east. It is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle_of_Humanity." Major cities include the capital Damascus in the southwest, Aleppo in the north, and Homs. Most of the other important cities are located along the coast line. (See also List_of_cities_in_Syria.) The climate in Syria is dry and hot, although winters are mild. Because of the country's elevation, snowfall does also occur occasionally during winter.Economy
''Main article: Economy_of_Syria'' Syria's predominantly statist economy has been growing, on average, more slowly than its 2.4% annual population growth rate, causing a persistent decline in per capita GDP. Recent legislation allows private banks to operate in Syria, although a private banking sector will take years and further government cooperation to develop. External factors such as the international war_on_terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian_conflict, and the war between the US-led coalition and Iraq probably will drive real annual GDP growth levels back below their 3.5% spike in 2002. A long-run economic constraint is the pressure on water supplies caused by rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water pollution.Demographics
''Main article: Demographics_of_Syria'' Most of the Syrian population (90%) is of Arabic ethnicity, but there are sizeable Kurdish and Armenian minorities. This is also reflected in the languages spoken; Arabic is the official language, but Kurdish, Turkish, and Armenian are spoken by the minorities. Syriac is still used, mostly within the Syrian_Orthodox_Church. In addition, Circassian is also spoken. Most Arabs in Syria are Muslim. Sunni Muslims make up about 74% of the population, with other Muslim sects (mainly Druze and Alawite) comprising 16%. The remainder are mostly Christian, although there is a small Jewish community.Culture
''Main article: Culture_of_Syria''Miscellaneous topics
External Links
Original, History and Authors:
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